B E L O W !

Quarterly Journal of the Shropshire Caving & Mining Club Spring Issue No: 2010.1

A Big Thank You Busy Start to the Year To show our appreciation of all the We seem to have had a busy start to Yew Tree hard work that they have put into the 2010. The scheduled ‘one day’ of Another digging project has been running of the Club over the years, at work at Clive, on the 9th January, to taking place at Snailbeach, where we the January meeting, Alan Taylor, fit water depth probes to the well have been given permission to open was voted in as Lifetime Vice pump, suddenly changed into a major up Yew Tree Level. President and Bob Taylor, was made replacement job! an honorary member. The level was dammed and used as Congratulations to both of them and This was the pump that we helped the water supply to Lord’s Hill Thank you. install 5 years ago, which suddenly Chapel and house, although it only failed on the 4th January, the Estate supplied one outside tap, and NAMHO 2011 managed to obtain a replacement, occasionally during droughts the Several meetings have been held so which the Club fitted over the neighbouring farmer’s cattle. far to start organising the 2011 weekend of the 9th-10th January. See Conference. It has been decided to page 18 for more details. Things have progressed since the hold it at Preston Montford Study first dig on 23rd Jan., with a dig every Centre, near Shrewsbury on the last Pitchcroft Saturday. On 13th Feb. a few club weekend of July. The dig at Pitchcroft continues to members reached an inner dam, 36.2m expand. What was originally thought from the entrance (the level had been Volunteers are still required, ranging to be a small engine house, seems to completely full of water before we from trip leaders to helpers in the grow with each visit! started), on the 20th Feb the dam was lecture area. Even if you feel you can passed to reach a run-in shaft about only spare an hour or two, every little Various artefacts have been 4m further on. More digging!! helps. Suggestions or ideas for the uncovered, including lots of metal Alan Robinson and Steve Holding in wedges or shims, various bolts, weekend would also be welcomed. Yew Tree Level, February 2010. tobacco pipe fragments and a few (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) larger items such as a spanner and cast iron plates.

A report on the dating evidence from the tobacco pipes, by David Poyner, is on page 3, with David Adams’ drawings of the dig up to October. David has since managed to measure and draw everything exposed up to the January 2010 dig.

When (if?) the dig is complete it is hoped to produce the dig report as a Club Account.

Left: David Adams measuring features of the dig at Pitchcroft in January 2010. (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings)

“Below” 2010.1 1 News Round-Up 1 Ivor Brown

Quarrying - Danger perhaps earlier. The local Squire Jones’s husband however, did not Is now one of the most dangerous Forester died in 1811 - he left an like it and has recently re-cut it and industries in the UK. Since 2000, instruction that on his death his renamed it “The Wild Heart”. This is twenty-one workers have died and horse should be shot and buried, a still shown on TV occasionally. The more than 2,700 have suffered a flat stone marking the spot but writer remembers the filming in Much reportable injury. without inscription. (See Below Wenlock town square. Also being 2004.4, 2005.1, 2008.3 and 2008.4) shown at Snailbeach, the plywood Last Mining Lecturer? coffin used in the film and the One of the last of the former mining Rowson’s of Snailbeach “shallow shaft” used for filming the lecturers at Walker Technical A note in IJBs 1992 notebook states final shots when the cry goes up College, Eric Culley has recently died. “Joseph Rowson had 22 children (he “Gone to Earth” as Foxy (the fox) and Other lecturers in the later period pre died in 1930s). His eldest daughter Hazel (Jennifer Jones) fall down it. 1979 (closure of Granville Pit) had 18 (17 were still alive and in the included Mr. Johnson and Mr. phone book in 1992). Can any other Telford Pit Mound Barber. family beat this? (Information from The Council for the Wrekin area have lady cleaning the toilet by Snailbeach been informed that they have Dog Memorial Shirlett Village Hall) incorrect names for two of the Although recently collapsed, the “15 pitmounds to be designated: metre high” chimney-like memorial to Gone to Earth the retriever who fell down a shaft is Jennifer Jones, principal actress in Blists Hill Pit mound should be shown and described in the recent the film of the Mary Webb book ‘Shaws Pit Mound’. ‘Shire book’ on ‘Animal Graves and based on the Snailbeach area died Tweedale Pit mound was ‘Halesfield Memorials’ by J.Toms (ISBN 13 978 0 recently aged 90. The film, much of it Pit Mound’ or it could include a 7478 0643 1). made around Lords Hill Chapel was sixth mound - ‘Guys Pit Mound’ It is said to be 19th Century, but released in 1950 under the book title. behind the Three Furnaces pub. An Unusual Shropshire Colliery Two ‘navigable levels’ are shown on “From these water pits, tunnels were waterwheels to obtain rotary power, a plan of Donnington Wood Colliery constructed to carry the water to the the steam pump was used to pump dated 1788 in different seams underground canal and at the back water for re-use by the wheels. geologically and about 60 yards apart terminus of the canal were ‘fire Waterwheels and water balance vertically. Unlike ‘boat levels’ in engines’ which brought up the machines as described by Cartlidge other British mines neither of the surplus supply of water”. were used in conjunction with steam navigable levels seems to reach engines in the same way for winding surface at any point or even connect This make sense when it is realised (see figure 1). waterwise with each other. They do that although pumping by however connect with the surface by reciprocation was possible using The most unusual feature at means of shafts. steam engines from early 1700s, Donnington is that they seem to rotary winding motion could not be have used an underground reservoir There is only one interpretation in used for winding satisfactorily until of water (a flooded roadway) for print which describes the workings, the end of that century. At transporting the tubs of coal this is in “Vales & Gates of Use - Coalbrookdale for example, they built (perhaps several in each boat) rather Con”, a history of the Oakengates steam pumps but had to use than tubs on tracks. Why? area by the Rev. J.E.G. Cartlidge in 1936. He wrote “The older pits were called ‘Tub-pits’ because there were two shafts, one for haulage and the other for the water tub which when filled with water descended and brought up the coal tub to the surface.”

“The water tub had a moveable base with three projecting prongs beneath it, which when they touched the bottom released the water and thus reversed the process”.

2 “Below” 2010.1 The Pitchcroft Tobacco Pipes David Poyner

Some of the most useful objects for design; they continued to be The second pipe has a fragment of a dating sites are clay tobacco pipes1. produced until around 1870. Six of stamp [S]AR…/BR….; the S is very These were first produced at the end our bowls have this form, two have faint. This is Sarah Roden of of the 16th Century, shortly after the leaf decoration and the rest are Broseley, who is known to have tobacco was introduced. They have plain (Fig 1). made pipes from 1828-1835. undergone many changes in shape and size; some also carry the name of We have over 50 stem fragments. The final stamp is FRIEDLANDER/ their maker. Stems are always more commonly LON…; the mark of Lesser found than bowls. It is much harder Freidlander of London, a firm of They have been extensively studied to get useful information from a stem tobacconists said to have made pipes by archaeologists and so can usually than a bowl; there are some age- in 1887-82. be dated. They were smoked in the related trends in the diameter of the workplace and so are more likely to hole in the middle of the stem, but The Sarah Roden and Friedlander be found on mine sites than domestic these are very weak. pipes illustrate some of the pitfalls in pottery, the usual artefact used for trying to use pipes to date features. dating. This article describes the Several stems include the base of the The Sarah Roden pipe was found on pipes we have so far discovered at bowl; one has been decorated with a top of the foundation wall of the Pitchcroft limestone mine (SJ 739 series of ridges (Fig 1). It is not engine house (Fig 2). The simplest 712). possible to identify the design, but explanation is that it dates from when decoration became more common the engine house was demolished. We have found over 80 pipe from the middle of the 19th Century. fragments in the course of our Another has a fleur-de-lys stamped However, there is a problem. th investigation; this compares with 20 on it; these were common on 19 Immediately above it is a layer of ash; pieces of pottery. About 20 of the Century pipes. this could be source of the pipe. As pieces are from the bowls of pipes The most useful piece of information part of the process of clearing the and 15 are sufficiently complete to site, it seems that ash was spread allow their design to be identified. that can come from a stem is if it carries a makers stamp. We have over the remains of the engine house Nine are long and narrow; at the base three such pipes. to make a level surface. The pipe may of the bowl is a pointed spur. These have originally been discarded in an were typically produced in the late One is marked NOAH RODEN/ ash dump somewhere on the site, but 18th to early 19th Centuries; say BROSELEY. There were two Noah this could have happened many around 1780-1820. As the century Rodens at work in the late 18th and years before the dump was then progressed, the bowl became smaller 19th Centuries in Broseley; we cannot reused as levelling material. and squatter. Pipes of this form were say which individual made the pipe, sometimes decorated with a leaf but they collectively made pipes from In archaeological jargon, it forms part 1780 to 1850. of a potentially redeposited layer and Figure 1 Some clay pipe bowls found at Pitchcroft. From left to right:

c1780-1820 pipe,

early to mid 19th Century pipe,

mid 19th Century pipe,

mid 19th Century pipe with feather decoration.

Also shown (top) is a stem with a fragment of a decorated bowl.

(David Poyner)

“Below” 2010.1 3 The Pitchcroft Tobacco Pipes continued ... cannot be used to date the Friedlander. An advert of 1887 1850. This is consistent with two demolition of the engine house. It described them as makers and further pieces of evidence. A simply shows that there was activity importers of tobacconists’ fancy Friedlander pipe has been found in on the site at some point in the goods, established in 18274. Lesser Australia, in an excavation at period in the late 1820s or 1830s. Friedlander himself was a Jew born in Casselden Place in Melbourne. Hamburg in 18105; the date of 1827 is However, there was no development The Friedlander pipe was found at probably when he first moved to on this site until after 18509. the very bottom of the engine house, London. However, his early business below around 5 feet of brick rubble, was that of an import merchant rather Secondly, a pipe from a London in a thin layer of dark soil just on top than that of a tobacconist. tobacconist is much more likely to of the brick floor of the building. It have arrived in Newport after the could have found its way into the In 1837 he was described as an opening of the railway, in 1849. The building during the act of demolition importer of sugar and leeches6; in the form of the lettering used on the or it could have been lying on the 1841 census he listed his occupation stamp, in a sans serif script, is floor before demolition started. as leech importer. From about 1840 suggestive of a post 1860 date. The until 1843 he was in partnership with dating suggests that the engine Its published date of manufacture of Joseph Frankau and now was house may have remained standing 1887/8 seems unlikely. The site was importing cigars, fancy goods as well for a period before final demolition. mapped by the Ordnance Survey in as leeches7. In subsequent censuses Hopefully when Friedlander pipes are 1881/2 and no building is shown. It is he describes himself as an importer of found in subsequent excavations, the most unlikely the OS would not have fancy goods; these might well evidence from Pitchcroft as to their recorded a building had it still been include items stocked by a date will help those trying to interpret standing, even if it was derelict. tobacconist. these studies. Furthermore, the mine was 3 abandoned in 1860 due to flooding ; Lesser died in 1879 but his business Acknowledgements it defies belief that a substantial was continued by his son, Henry building was erected on the site after The pipes found in this dig have Lesser Friedlander who may have been identified and dated by Rex Key 1882. The dates ascribed to the been running it for some years before production of clay pipes are often and Dr David Higgins. David sought his father’s death. Henry was advice from Peter Hammond in dating estimates; it is very rare that records certainly a tobacconist in 1875, when exist to show the exact period when a the Friedlander stamp. I would also he filed for bankruptcy; two years like to thank Christine Williamson for stamp was used. Thus in this case it later he registered a patent for seems that Friedlander must have comments on the Friedlander pipe “improvements in pipes for smoking found in Melbourne. been selling stamped pipes at least tobacco”8. Taken together, it seems before 1882. probable that the tobacconist References To try and narrow the date of the business developed from the import 1 Clay Tobacco pipes, E.G. Ayto, pipe further, it is necessary to of cigars and is most likely to have Shire Publications, 1999 provides investigate the firm of Lesser been established at some point after a simple introduction

Figure 2

A cross section through the foundation of the engine house, showing the different layers and the location of the Sarah Roden and Friedlander pipes.

Not to scale.

4 “Below” 2010.1 The Pitchcroft Tobacco The Pitchcroft Dig - October 2009 Update Pipes, continued ... David Adams

2 Clay Pipes for the Archaeologist, 18th October 2009 the wall but had not passed into it. It Adrian Oswald,. 1975, BAR Series The dig at Picthcroft (SJ 7397.1719) is too appeared to predate the building. No 14, British Archaeological now a fairly major operation and the Reports, Oxford, P: 136 tenant, Mr David Williams, decided, With the aid of the digger it was at 3 The history of limestone mining earlier this year, that it was time to last possible to bottom the pit at a in Church Aston and Lilleshall, obtain official permission from the depth of 4’10” (1.48m) to the base of D.R. Adams, Shropshire Caving landowners, the Duchy of Cornwall. the now loose long bolts D & E. and Mining Club Account 25, Digging was therefore suspended These were fitted with square 2007, 26-47 while a letter was duly sent in April. 4 Advert in Tobacco 3”(75mm) iron plates and nuts which manufacturers’ manual : a vade- Permission was subsequently must have anchored them to a me-cum for allied industries granted subject to the Duchy being wooden beam now gone. The bolts Lutterman, James B, London , provided with reports of progress. were 8’6” (2.59m) and 9’ (2.74m) 1887. This advert may be the Due to activities in the Summer respectively. basis for the 1887/8 date ascribed months the dig was not resumed until to Friedlander pipes by Oswald. October. Attention now turned to the larger 5 This is based on his age in the compartment which was also censuses 1841-71 Jon Deakin not being available on bottomed to a depth of 5’6” (1.68m). 6 Guildhall library MS 11936/556/ this occasion Mr John Hendy, a The floor appeared to be only partly 1259661 prominent member of the Newport bricked with the bricks laid semi 7 The Frankaus of London: A (horse) Driving Society agreed to diagonally from the doorway to the study in radical assimilation, TM bring his Toyota mini digger. The northern corner. This floor was later Endelman, Jewish History, digging party consisted of David levelled and found to be 8’ (2.44m) Volume 8 (1994); London Gazette Adams, David Poyner with father below the level of the adjoining field. George, Andy Johnson, Peter 27-1-1843 The N.W. wall was rendered as was 8 London Gazette 5-2-1875, 5-3-1877 Eggleston, Kelvin Lake, Alan Taylor, and Nathan Lewis. part of the two adjoining walls but 9 C. Williamson, International the rendering had not survived at the Journal of Historical S.E. end of the compartment (cellar). Archaeology, Vol. 10, No. 4, The first operation was to sweep December 2006 away the accumulation of summer leaves and debris, then to scrape At floor level opposite each other back the spoil to make a level area for were two cavities in each wall which The Pitchcroft Marbles the machine to work in order to reveal must have been beam slots. Later During the January 2010 dig, two clay the outside of the south-west wall of David Adams returned to draw the marbles were recovered form a the engine house. internal elevations of the cellar walls strange circular brick feature (built and pit. without mortar). Excavating the N.W corner revealed a 4” (10cm) cast iron pipe rather The dead tree root left from the The marbles tell us nothing about the strangely passing through the corner previous dig was removed with the engine but somehow they make me of the building. It had been aid of a Tirfor 30cwt pulling machine feeler a bit closer to the boys who disconnected leaving a flange enabling that section of the wall to be were paid to stoke it! They look to be immediately outside the brickwork on cleared and the rest of bolt B hand made which fits; apparently the N.W. side however it did not revealed to the brickwork. Numerous machine made clay marbles didn’t appear to have ever passed through iron objects came to light including a become common until 1870. One of the extension on that side. Situated heavy 1½” (4cm) x 2’6” (76cm) them has either been made from a above it as it entered the side of the baseplate with chamfered edges, blended clay or something naturally newly excavated trench was the end various pins, bolts, and spanners, all striped for the decorative effect. of a 9” (23cm) land drain pipe. One heavily corroded, none were in any could only presume that it was in use way stratified and had obviously just David Poyner during the construction of the engine been thrown down. house and had been dismantled Figure 3: The Marbles Meanwhile Andy Johnson before the extension was built. conducted a careful investigation of The wall side was opened up to the the ground layers adjacent to the S.E. S.W. corner proving that there were wall. This revealed a top layer of no building extensions on that side. blackish soil containing fragments of A 4” (10cm) land drain was found in ash, coal and brick overlying a the side of the trench 6½ ft (2 metres) creamy white sand with bits of brick from the the corner at right angles to plus some coal and mortar fragments.

“Below” 2010.1 5 The Pitchcroft Dig - October 2009 Update continued...

A thin layer of coal with beech nuts Eggleston, David Poyner and others Reynolds installed a very unusual sealed a floor of clean sand. The speculating on the type of engine ‘beamless’ winding engine at outer ‘slot’ wall appeared to rest on which the house may have contained Wombridge in 1794 and had at least this sand. Curiously the foundation in the late 18th century while the three others built. Could this be one trench for the main engine house Boulton & Watt patent was still in of them? appeared to have been cut through being. the sand, which could suggest that it It was agreed that the next priority was a later construction. The floor of Was it a B & W engine built under must be to dig deep into the ground the slot itself was mainly made up of licence by William Reynolds, a pirate S.E. of the engine house in the hope black coally fill with many artefacts. engine, of which there were of finding the base of the winding numerous possibilities, or something mechanism, also the base of the Following the dig there was an else? haystack or wagon boiler appropriate exchange of e-mails between Peter to that period. Plan of the Pitchcroft Dig As at October 2009

6 “Below” 2010.1 The Pitchcroft Dig - October 2009 Update continued...

Sections of the Pitchcroft Dig As at October 2009

“Below” 2010.1 7 A visit to Hudgill Burn Mine Andy Wood

In order to explore some rises in the Once inside and carrying one of the top flats of Carr’s mine, an extending tallies from the board at the entrance, ladder was needed. Sheila Barker was the party divided. Steve Holding and aware of one in the locked Hudgill Paul Thorne having been elected to Burn mine which could be liberated remove the ladder, were in wet suits from there and, when used for because of deep water in the level exploration, could be fixed to allow towards the ladder. At this point, it better access to these top flats. was found that a spanner was needed to unbolt it, so Paul went Consequently, a trip was arranged to back to fetch one and the sightseers collect the ladder and permit those carried on. not familiar with the mine to look around. Because of the length of the There were a number of interesting ladder, the plan had been to use features to be seen including the Andy Wood’s Land Rover’s roof point at which the original drive rack for transportation, however he stopped and the slight change of had arrived in a borrowed Freelander direction that opened up great riches, without a rack but, after some head The door from the inside - we could some well preserved wooden rails, scratching, it was decided that this just squeeze in!. clog prints, beautifully cut candle could do the job. alcoves, a clay candle mount, old sleepers and a fossilised fern root Hudgill Burn mine was allegedly once sticking out of the roof. The miners the richest lead mine in the country had broken into an old and complex producing some 12,000 bings of lead, cave system which was so easily but it is a prime example of the accessible that Victorian tourists vicissitudes of mining. By 1808, the used to come to visit it and leave London Lead company had found it graffiti on the walls, which is well was uneconomic but in 1812 John preserved even today. and Jacob Wilson took it up. They The surviving wooden rails - several decided that they would offer 500 £1 mines in the Nenthead area have Having had a good crawl deep into rails like this. shares to local merchants, rather than the caves, we returned to the take all the risk themselves. Two entrance to find the ladder outside years later nothing had been and Paul liberally applying grease to produced and a further flotation of the door mechanism. The Freelander £360 was made. Within months a rich accepted the ladders, just, and vein of solid cerussite (lead conveyed them to Nenthead and up carbonate), which at one point was to Carr’s mine for re-installation. 20 feet wide, was struck and each £1 share became worth £17,500 – a lot of money in 1814. An alcove cut for a candle.

The mine closed in1870 and the entrance was badly run in but some years ago, CATMHS re-opened it in their usual professional manner. A stream was diverted, steel reinforcement installed and arching Above: A collection of crystals. rebuilt to allow permanent access, Below: It fits !! provided a key was used to unlock the imposing steel door. Even with Above & below: Examples of graffiti. the key, obtaining access proved rather more difficult as the door mechanism was very stiff and required considerable persuasion to turn. It still took some blows with a heavy implement to open the door, which appeared to have rusted to the frame. (All pictures above: Andy Wood)

8 “Below” 2010.1 Shropshire Mining Characters - Samuel Parkes Cadman Ivor Brown

Samuel Parkes Cadman, 1864 - 1936 At the age of 19 he became a local Sunday afternoon services on radio Born at Ketley, his father also preacher himself and then offered made him famous across the States. Samuel, was a chartermaster of long himself for training as a full time standing (there are still areas known minister. He was accepted at He was also an author and in great as ‘Cadmans Pits’ today, near the Richmond College in London in 1886 demand for special services, both in Greyhound Inn). Samuel (Junior) was and was financially supported by the USA and back in Britain. His baptised at a Ketley Methodist local miners (some of who were also brother also became a minister in the Chapel and later attended Old Park preachers). In 1888 he completed the USA. Methodist Sunday School. course, with debts of several His middle name Parkes, came from hundred pounds. his mother, her family the Parkes, also He started work as a miner at the age saw many members leave Shropshire of 11 in 1875 at the “Little Ease and He did not enter the British ministry for the States as the Shropshire Woodhouse Pits” near Priorslee. A but felt called to go to America and industries declined in the late 19th strong Christian since his early years his passage there was paid by local Century. (his father Samuel was also a local miners of Ketley Bank and Lawley preacher), he was often invited by Bank. He became a minister for the (based on an article by J.Lenton in the older miners to preach to them American Church and also the first the Wesley Historical Society during their lunch breaks. “radio-minister” in the 1920s. The Newsletter, September 1996) In Highley, Ivor Brown The Wrekin Ruby Sold Highley has a number of works of public art which can be seen from the The ‘Gem of Tanzania’, which had Sculpture Trail, some of which relate to the area’s mining past. been entered as an asset of Wrekin Construction with a value of £11m, The Miners Tribute to prop up it’s balance sheet has Designer Lee Brewster, erected 1994. been sold by the administrators Ernst This is on the site of the former Highley Colliery and takes the form of a and Young for £8,000. When Wrekin colliery winding wheel (from Bagworth Colliery in Leicestershire) supported Construction folded in 2009 the on slate pillars. It is dedicated to all those who worked in the local mines. valuation of the gem was found to be forged.

It has now been bought by the Network Group (a creditor of Wrekin Construction), who plan to cut it up and sell it off in smaller pieces. They are hoping to turn it into several million rubies to recover their money. News Reports

BGS Maps & Images Online Above: The Miners Tribute at Highley - a sheave wheel mounted on a plinth (as it looked in 2002). The British Geological Survey (BGS) has made it’s vast archive available Top right: Detail of the plaque on the ‘Tribute’. online. “Highley Colliery 1878 - 1969. To all those who worked in the local mines” The archive of maps and images is (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) searchable and free to use for non- commercial purposes. It can be The Clock Sculpture browsed and accessed in a number of different ways, it is well worth Designer David Howorth, erected 1999. spending some time exploring it. Located in the village centre, this features a life-sized miner in a cage at the pit bottom, whilst the winding Called “OpenGeoscience” the site tower features an abstract design to incorporate the can be accessed at: clock. www.bgs.ac.uk/OpenGeoscience/ (Illustration from Highley Tourist Trail leaflet.)

“Below” 2010.1 9 Trip Report – Nant-y-Moch and Talybont 15th & 16th August 2009 Steve Holding

Roy Fellows and members of the adit was a good opportunity to clean Sunday Welsh Mines Society have opened off the gear. The author was the only Those from the Saturday trips were up a ladder shaft into Talybont mine one to take our guide’s advice to joined by Mike Davies, Kelvin Lake and Roy Fellows had offered a trip to wear a wet suit so there were all sorts and Peter Eggleston. members of SCMC. Roy also offered of high pitched exclamations as the to take those interested into various chest deep water was accessed! You Roy started by giving us a good tour mines around Nant-y-Moch have to spend a long time in deep around surface features in the village Reservoir on the Saturday. water but eventually you do get out of Talybont. Most of these were on of the water and there are a few private property and hence not Saturday artefacts to view. usually available. Chris Andrews, Ian Davies, Mark The day finished with a trip into Roy showed us part of the drainage Cox, Tony Wilson and Steve Holding Camdwrbach, which had only were shown around by Roy Fellows. from the mine which he had spent a recently been accessed by Roy. Roy long time improving. has done some work to drop the We started with a trip into Henfwlch water level but there is still an – the marsh ground approaching the awkward backwards crawl into deep adit was treacherous and the adit water. After a longish trip through entrance was waste deep water. The deep water, an area with substantial main thing to see in this mine was the stoping is reached. Unusually there top of the main stope; the lower part has been quite a lot of collapse on being back-filled. There is a nice the footwall and a lot of care is wheel barrow some distance in . required picking your way around lots of timberwork (largely rotten) some of which is probably on false floor. There are locations with flooded stopes below and lots of iron stained formations. There has been a lot of calcite formation on the floor but mainly dark stained – this gives Tony Wilson with the wooden barrow gower pools and a lot of black cave in Henfwlch (Steve Holding) pearls.

There was something of a hike to None of these trips were particularly Above: View along the Talybont Brynyrafr, on the far side of long but in combination gave a good drainage adit improved by Roy Fellows. (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) Nantymoch, where a handline (off a days exploration. loose fence post) gave access into a large stope – lots of timberwork and We then looked at a flannel mill with flooring above can be seen with the water wheel and Pelton wheels. bottom of the stope being flooded. A Another complete Pelton turbine short trip but surprisingly large (installed in the 1930s to generate stoping to be seen. electricity), in the private grounds, was shown – while not directly part Brynyrafr was a bit of a messy visit of the mine, these were very with helmets and overalls covered interesting. with all sort of grunge but Newmarch Later there was a drive and walk for the access to the mine. Kelvin and Peter left to visit other local features while the rest of us descending the climbing shaft opened up by Roy and others. The trip starts with a simple abseil pitch of around 60 feet, followed by a handline/abseil to the top of the An old oil can in Newmarch level. Black cave pearls in Camdwrbach. ladders. The ladders are more (Steve Holding) (Steve Holding) straightforward than immediately

10 “Below” 2010.1 Trip Report – Nant-y-Moch and Talybont 15th & 16th August 2009 continued ... obvious and there has been lots of modern timbering holding it all in Right: Pelton wheel, place. installed in the 1930s to drive a The bottom of the ladders brings you generator on the to the South Lode level and waist Talybont Mine deep water – following the level site. comes to the main drainage level (Kelvin Lake - where we turned left into the mine. In I.A.Recordings) the floor of the drainage level there are the bases for a power drive along the level.

Eventually a chamber/four way Right: junction is reached; straight ahead The former Mine leads to a flooded stope, with Managers pumping mechanism and a horse gin house and office chamber, with horse gin remains. of Talybont Mine. (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings) Back to the four way junction, the left leads to the dig which is now abandoned and the right is a level with stoping and various artefacts, including a couple of wooden kibbles. Before exiting, we went along the drainage level far enough to reach stone arching. Right: Mike After regaining the surface, we all Davies by the walked a bit further to enter flooded stope in Wilkinson Level which gave access Talybont (Alt-y- Crib) with to various areas of stoping. remains of a balance bob. We were all grateful for Roy (Steve Holding) organising the weekend and particularly for showing us around the interesting surface features around Talybont.

Above: View into the flooded stope in Talybont (Alt-y-Crib), (Steve Holding)

Right: Chris Andrews by the remains of wooden kibbles in Talybont (Alt-y-Crib) mine. (Steve Holding)

“Below” 2010.1 11 Some Notes on the Mines of the Lilleshall Company, No.3 Pits in the Donnington Field (Colliery), Ivor Brown

Note: Short histories of the Grange A Geological Section of Grange Pit and Granville Pits have been was published by T.Doody in 1879, prepared, but await typing and this shows the workable seam editing. The information below positions down to the bottom-most, however gives an indication of what the Lancashire Ladies Coal at 323 is available. yards, but mentions that from 309 yards downwards it is ‘assumed’, 11. Grange Pit, being based on other nearby pit SJ 720 114 sections. Worked: Principally coal and ironstone, but also iron pyrites and Winding: The Register mentioned methane gas (which was pumped above indicates that a steam engine underground from nearby Granville was built for winding at the “new Pit workings). sinking” in 1856. By 1870 the pit, with two winding shafts 12 yards apart, Sunk: 1860s. The pit was had an engine with a pair of Nationalised in 1947 and merged with horizontal cylinders 15 inch diameter nearby Granville Pit in 1952-3. and 3ft. stroke, with two 3ft. diameter Pumping: In 1870 the pump was a drums for flat hemp ropes. This was direct-acting vertical cylinder engine, Closed: 1979. later replaced by a 45 inch diameter built by the Company, over the third Shafts: Three shafts seem to have engine (also manufactured by the (Water Pit) shaft. It had a 42 inch been completed by 1864, but there is Company), but the old engine was diameter cylinder with 9 ft. stroke, a mention of equipment being kept for “haulage” (perhaps working at 40 psi. This worked 2 sets prepared “for the new sinking at the underground haulage using a rope of pumps; top set of 11.375 inch, Grange” in 1856 in the Lilleshall down the shaft - a fairly common forcing 70 yards, and lower set 12.75 Company’s Drawings Register. It was local practice). inch lift, pumping 70 yards. Total not unusual for sinking to take many depth 140 yards. This was for raising years. By 1940 there was a “single cylinder the top or ‘surface water’. At this steam engine connected to a flat rope time the small amount of deep Geological Survey Records also drum”. In 1951 this was replaced by a underground water was raised by indicate that at one time the pit was conventional Robey of Lincoln 100/ “buckets” when the winder was not called “Albert and Alexandra”. 125 HP electric winder with a round raising mineral. In 1940 the engine is steel rope. The old reported to be the same as in 1879, a wooden headframes were Bull-type vertical “similar” to that at also replaced by a steel Stafford Pit. tandem-headframe. Winding of mineral In 1950 there were two electric ceased at Grange Pit in pulsometer pumps in use. One was 21 April 1953, from which HP, 3 stage, raising 117 gallons per time the pit was used for minute from 294 ft., the second was secondary access, 75 HP, 7 stage, raising 130 gallons per ventilation and removing minute from 970 ft. This was fitted in water.

Right: Installing the new electric winding engine at the Grange. (L.Aldred) Grange chain hauled incline, c1945. (Neville Surmen)

12 “Below” 2010.1 Some Notes on the Mines of the Lilleshall Company, No.3 Pits in the Donnington Field (Colliery), continued ... a winding shaft. In 1951 the Water in 1887 (see SCMC Account No.24, The Grange Pit is notable for the fact Pit, (then 110 yards deep, 8ft. p37). that it probably had the last winding diameter) was abandoned and filled. engine using flat rope at a British Employed: Until about 1900 Grange Colliery. The situation was described At the time the underground Pit seems to have been a more by the NCB’s Chief engineer in 19503. connection was being made with important pit than Granville, for A notable feature today is that Granville in early 1950s. water was example in 1894 there were 283 several of the 1950s buildings still being raised in ‘tubs’ fitted in a cage workers at Grange against 211 at survive complete with a fine set of and known as a ‘druggon’. Granville. After 1900 the figures for steel tandem headframes3. Grange fell from 244 in 1905, 212 in The lower workings were noted for 1917, 183 in 1923, 142 in 1930, 157 in References their dryness, only occasionally was 1936, 151 in 1945, 146 in 1948 and 162 1. East Shropshire Coalfield, Tempus water removal from depth necessary. when it merged with Granville in 1952. From the mid 1950s water was pp 72-74. drained from the Grange Pit by means 2. Visit to Grange Colliery “Below” Production: The tonnage of coal 2007.3. of a ‘trough’ to the Granville produced annually from Grange Pit pumping shaft. This trough was 3. Wire Rope Practice, B.L.Metcalfe. fell from about 40,000 tons in 1947 to Inst. Min. & Met. Conference made of old conveyor belting formed 28,000 tons in 1952, while Granville into a channel by nailing wooden 1950. tonnage increased from 75,000 to 4. Geological Plan and Section of the spacers at the top. This system was 149,000. used until Granville Pit closed. Shropshire Coalfield by T.Doody, 1879. Until 1952 the coal produced was In the latter years water is believed to taken from the pit to the screens (and have entered Grange Pit from nearby Also, grateful thanks to R.Rushton, the mineral line railway) in small I.Myatt and T.Price for reading the Woodhouse Pit (pumping ceased in trucks on rails hauled by a chain from 1960s) some of this water having original script and making useful a small steam engine. This used the comments. come from other local pits, Stafford overhand chain system as used at and Lawn, as pumping ceased at nearby Donnington Brickworks until these 1929-1940s. c1970. in this the chain dropped into a fork fitted on each tub. Ventilation: The Drawings Register shows that a ventilation furnace was built “for Grange” in 1856 and a furnace was still in use in 1870. By 1891 a 20 ft. Guibal Steam Fan Right: Building the new producing 20,000 cu feet per minute Grange tandem steel had been erected. The airways headframe over the top of ventilated by this extended to 1,474 the old wooden headframes. yards. The pit was still being (L.Aldred) ventilated by the Guibal Steam Fan when the NCB took over in 1947.

In 1953 a 375 HP electric Walker Below: The new Grange pithead Macord fan was transferred from layout in the 1950s. Granville to Grange Pit as part of the (L.Aldred) merger, thus forming a complete system with Grange as the upcast. In 1959 a Davidson electric fan was added to increase ventilation to the pit. The Macord was retained in-situ as a stand-by.

Grange Pit was a gassy pit and flame safety lamps were in use from 1870. There were several explosions causing deaths and injury at the pit over the years, but only one was a multi-fatality, in this three miners died

“Below” 2010.1 13 Some Notes on the Mines of the Lilleshall Company, No.3 Pits in the Donnington Field (Colliery), continued ...

14 “Below” 2010.1 What the Papers Said - From the Colliery Guardian submitted by Steve Dewhirst

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT AT MADELEY A SINKER’S CLAIM FOR WAGES. AT the last sitting of the Madeley County Court, with thy father.” I found he had left 4s. I then went before Uyedale Corbett, Esq., judge, a rough spun to Squire Moseley, and he said he left it all to the collier named Hodgkiss, usually designated “Ben defendant. The defendant said he would pay the Sinker,” from his following that occupation, when the Squire gave his consent. summoned a German gentleman, known as Dr. Reider, or Donster Swivel Redivivus, who has been Mrs. Hodgkiss, mother of plaintiff, attended to engaged under Mr. Moseley, of Buildwas Park, in corroborate the statement of her son.—Joseph sinking for coal in a spot where the results of the Reider, the defendant in the case said : The man Government survey, and the experience of scientific had behaved bad in the shaft, was oftener drunk and practical men, forbid the supposition of coal than sober, and cursed me and Mr. Moseley. I being found. Plaintiff claimed £1 4s. for wages. gave him a week’s notice. They took a holiday on Defendant denied the justice of the debt. Monday. I complained on the Tuesday that they had not worked. On Monday Hodgkiss cursed Plaintiff said, he was a sinker, working for 4s, a-day and abused me. I said he should go, or I would and two quarts of ale. On the 24th December, send for a policeman. He refused to go unless I defendant gave him and four others notice to quit gave him a week’s wages. I said if he would go on the next Saturday. On the Monday there was no quietly, and not show his impudent face or nose work ; it was the wake. On the Tuesday worked a again, I would pay him. I said if Mr. Moseley sinker’s day, that is to seven o’clock. Dr. Reider would pay it he should have it. came to the pit. I said, “ there are four rings of brick in want of finishing; we have been working ever A good deal of amusement was afforded the since eight o’clock, and if some one does not stay to Court by the cross-questions put by plaintiff, who finish it there will be no work for the men in the had to stand on the opposite side of the table to morning; if it is done they can work.” prevent violence.—John Hughes said : Dr. Heider told plaintiff that if he would stay away from the Defendant said, “Ben, there was one day last week place he should be paid.—Plaintiff put some you only did two hours’ work.” I replied, “I was questions to witness relative to the play on Monday, four hours looking for a house for you.” I said, alternately called. a strike, a festival, and a wake. “Tell me who told you.” He refused, ordered me off the ground, and waved his stick. He said if I A man named Roberts was next examined, to would go he would pay me according to agreement. show that Monday was not a general holiday.— I asked him for my money on the Tuesday, and he His Honour decided, under the circumstances of said, “Come down to Buildwas Inn on Saturday.” plaintiff’s abusive manner, to give judgment for I went on the Friday for my tools. On the Saturday defendant. I went to Rockson. He said, “I have left the money 26th June 1858 FROM A CORRESPONDENT AT BRIDGNORTH SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM GUNPOWDER. EXPLOSION OF GAS AT THE GRANGE Mr Wallace, railway contractor, Bridgnorth, was on PITS.—Three more men have fallen victims to the Friday night placing a quantity of gunpowder in a fearful fire at the Grange Pit, being the whole of the hole in a pigstye, for the purpose of destroying four men injured. Inquests were held on Friday and some rats. Saturday last, at the Crown Inn, Dawley, and at the He had the powder flask in one hand, the light in the Queen’s head, Lawley Bank. Mr. Wynne, government other, when a spark ignited the powder in the flask inspector of mines, attended, and, having caused and it exploded. Both Mr. Wallace’s hands were plans of the workings to be prepared, required the fearfully lacerated ; one of the thumbs only hanging attendance of the several juries at the latter place, by a piece of skin ; his cheek was cut open from the and proceeded to examine witnesses as to the state eye to the jaw, and his face otherwise much injured. of the mines, the means of ventilation, &c. At the He remains in a precarious condition. close of the investigation, a verdict of “Accidental 12th January 1861 death, occasioned by the explosion of fire-damp,” was recorded. 26th January 1861

“Below” 2010.1 15 The Badges of the Shropshire Miners’ Federation David Poyner

The last issue of Below (2009.4, 14- April 1915. My suggestion is that Latham, the secretary of the union 16) illustrated a number of union somehow there is a problem with the spoke of how they had benefited badges either side of the First World “H” badge. If this was actually April over the last 6 months from “the War, with a puzzling range of forms 1913, then an alphabetical sequence sixpenny contribution in numbers 1, and inscriptions. However, I think it is restored. The final lettered badge is 2, 3 and 6 lodges” and spoke of the is possible to make some guesses as V, October 1916. efforts it had taken to “establish a to the underlying systems. six-penny union” (Wellington Table 1 shows how these can be Journal, as above). It looks as though The badges presumably were issued fitted to form a continuous sequence, in the middle of 1911 the subscription to show that the holder had paid their based on a new badge being issued had been increased for at least some subscription to the union. The every quarter (marked with the first branches. Either of these events earliest is dated January 1910 and it month of that quarter) and with the could have resulted in the new form seems that at this period the legend first being issued to cover the 2nd of badge. on the badge was the sole indicator quarter of 1911 (ie July 1911). It is of the whether the wearer was up-to- necessary to introduce one gap in Once all 26 letters had been used, it date with his payments. From the the sequence, which can be put in to looks like the union moved to single example it is impossible to say cover the period April-June 1912. embossed numbers to indicate the if the badges were issued monthly or This coincides with a 5 week national quarter. Again, the existing badges less frequently. strike. My suggestion is, that for can be fitted into a series that follows whatever reason, no badge was on directly from the lettered badges, The second badge is March 1911 and issued for this quarter. but with two gaps. These can be marked with the letter C. This is the inserted into the 3rd quarter of 1920 first badge with both the legend and Why did the union change the form and the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 1921. a letter. The simplest assumption is of its badges twice around 1911? It These coincide with the other that a new badge was issued each seems that around this time the union national strikes held during this month and that a badge with an A is first called the “Shropshire Miners’ period; in October 1920 for 2 weeks was issued in January 1911. The Engineers and Surfacemen’s and April 1921 for approximately 10 alternative is that the badges were Federation” (Wellington Journal, 17- weeks. issued quarterly, the March 1911 2-1912). Before this date there was a badge representing the period Jan- separate union for the enginemen, I have no evidence to support any of March 1911. In this case, the “A” but the last mention I have seen of it this, beyond that it produces a badge would have covered the functioning was in December 1910, at sequence that works! period July-Sept 1910. an inquest into seven men killed in a winding accident at Kemberton. Thus NUM Midlands Region The lettered badges as shown in it is possible that the two had Below then pose a problem. merged, in some form or other. c1958 Chronologically, the next is said to be South Staffs & Shropshire L, April 1914 and it is followed by H, Secondly, in February 1912, William Area Branches 1. District Office Table 1. Suggested sequence of badges, 1911-25. Shading indicates 2. Baggeridge Branch badges illustrated in the last edition of Below. 3. Baggotts Branch 4. Beech Tree Branch * 5. Dawley Branch (Small Collieries) * 6. Granville Branch 7. Hall J. Branch 8. Hamstead Branch 9. Harrison. G. K. Branch * 10. Highley Branch 11. Jubilee Branch * 12. Madeley Wood Branch 13. Pearsons, E. J. & J. Branch 14. Price, J. T. Branch 15. Round, James and Stourbridge Fireclay Branch 16. S.G.B. (Dudley) Ltd., Branch 17. Shut End Collieries Branch 18. Stevens. John Branch * = Lodges in Shropshire

16 “Below” 2010.1 Miners Unions in Shropshire - a Footnote Ivor Brown

The “Directory of Officials, Lodge (b) Shropshire Miners Engineman’s Note: Challinor would be secretary Secretaries etc. for the Miners and Surfaceman’s Association. for the Hanwood Pits, Ward for Federation of Great Britain” (the position of the apostrophes varied Kemberton Pits (495 employed), the published in 1937 shows that annually!) remaining secretaries must have Shropshire’s colliery lodges were covered Grange (157), Granville (293), Office: Hollyhurst, Wrockwardine affiliated to three different Miners Woodhouse (455), Lawley (38), Wood, Oakengates. Associations (listed from North to Princes End (33) and other small pits. Agent, General and Financial South). Secretary, Mr. Alfred Hoggins. (c) Highley and Kinlet District Miners Association (a) Affiliated to the ‘North Wales and Lodges: Border Counties Miners Association’ 1. W.H.Challinor, 6 Bridge Cottages, Lodges: Pontesford. 1. Ifton. E.Ellis, Nevod Lane, St. 1. J.Findley, High Street, Highley 2. B.Ward, 10 Bridle Road, Madeley. Martins, Shropshire 2. A.Robinson, Church Street, 3. F.Pickering, 68, Woodhouse Highley. Crescent, Trench. Note: Note: These would have covered the 4. J.Fox, Leonard Street, Oakengates In 1937 Directories the colliery is Highley Pit (602 employees) and 5. G.Davies, 7, School Street, St. shown as “Brynkinalt (including Kinlet Pit (237 employees). Georges. Ifton Shaft), There were 924 6. T.Wallage, Forge Road, There was also a Highley, Kinlet & underground employees and 346 Donnington Wood Billingsley District Miners Protection surface). 7. J.Eveson, 62, Dawley Bank, Society, Sec. J.Findley, Club House, Dawley. Highley. Shropshire Mines 100 Years Ago - 1910 Ivor Brown Coal Mines The falls were at Grange and Stafford Production There were 51 mines at work under Pits (2). One man fell off a plank in They produced: Muxton shaft and 7 were killed in the the Coal Mines Act, employing 2,942 8,334 tons barytes underground (one boy aged 13-14) Madeley shaft disaster (see next issue of Below, for a report). 845 tons lead with 671 males and 46 females on the 37 tons zinc surface (compared with 9 only in In Shropshire 2,402 flame safety 992 tons limestone and North Staffs. Shropshire had a high calcite. number compared with other lamps were in use, principally of the counties because many were working Ackroyd & Best (1,811) and Protector (404) types. Accidents on the ironstone pit mounds). There were no fatal accidents during the year. There had been a slight rise overall in No Shropshire owner was prosecuted by the inspector this year, but a employment, production of coal had Quarries increased slightly but ironstone horse keeper was prosecuted by the production continued to fall. Lilleshall Company for having a pipe There were 74 quarries at work in his possession underground (£2 employing 677 males inside the Production with 6 shillings costs). quarries and 965 males plus, 1 female Shropshire produced: outside the quarries, total 1,643 The following coal mines closed persons. 837,541 tons coal, during this year: 21,157 tons fireclay, Lower Brandlee, Production 10,412 tons ironstone, Jubilee Pit, These produced: 32,458 tons red clay Victoria. 40,508 tons of brick clay and 132 tons iron pyrites. shale Metal Mines 48,067 tons of igneous rocks One coal cutter (electric disc) was in The number of mines at work 13,339 tons sand and gravel use in the County. increased this year from 9 to 14, but 181,609 tons limestone the number of workers employed fell 26,184 tons sandstone. Accidents by 66 underground and 21 above There were 11 deaths in coal mines (3 ground to 140 underground and 80 Accidents due to falls of ground and 8 in on surface (including one female), There were no fatalities or shafts). total 220 persons. prosecutions during the year.

“Below” 2010.1 17 Clive Pump Replacement (Again!) 9th-10th January 2010 Thirteen club members assembled at that we took with us wouldn’t gas-off When we left, late on Sunday Clive on a bitterly cold Saturday properly, so we virtually had no heat evening all that remained was for the (temperatures didn’t get much above on the surface - the underground electricians to wire up the pump and -5oC !) to help replace the team were much cosier! When we probe sensors, and keep our fingers submersible pump in the Clive Well. took the cover off Rubbish shaft, an crossed that it would all work! incredible plume of hot air vented We only fitted this pump 5 years ago, from the shaft for most of the Edwin has since found out that the but it suddenly failed earlier in the morning - spectacles steamed up pump is working correctly - hopefully week and luckily the Estate had instantly if you went anywhere near we won’t have to do this again in 5 managed to get a replacement at the edge of the shaft!! years time! short notice, so the ‘simple’ job we had originally planned to do, of just By the end of Saturday we had fitting water depth probes had managed to remove the previous changed into a complete pump pump from the well and had the new replacement! This caused some one ready to go down. This was angst, as it had been arranged for a done first thing on Sunday morning. number of visitors to be taken into But work was slowed down with the Clive on the Sunday. need for fitting the water probes and associated electrics, plus the re- The Saturday was so cold that the fitting of the 6 pipe sections that had butane in the heater and little stove to be removed above the pump.

Above: The ‘defunct’ pump reaches the surface - cunningly still full of water, which went all over the surface team! (Kelvin Lake - I.A.Recordings)

Above & below: The top of the standing pipework that had to be pulled apart to get at the pump (which was 6 pipe sections down) (Andy Harris)

18 “Below” 2010.1 The Club in 1970 - 40 Years Ago Ivor Brown

Very little seems to have been with Ken Lock to Snailbeach to meet Some members visited the new recorded during this year. No Mr.Hewitt (aged 91 years), who had sewage tunnels under Madeley via a Yearbook or Journal was produced, worked at the mine, another to 60ft. shaft at Hills Lane; 3 passages Newsletters were published however survey the surface plant at Roberts were under construction, one at 11ft. (No.63 to No.74). But they contained Level. 6in. diameter towards Coalport, one scant information, most were single at 7ft. 6in. diameter towards Dawley sheets and one had only 28 lines of and a similar one towards Shifnal, all type - including the heading! concrete lined. Battery locos on rail tracks were in use. Most official trips were to well known mines and caves in North Wales, Tunnelling was under air pressure of there was little new exploration done. 6lb/sq.in. above atmospheric to keep Things, it seemed, were about to back water, so decompression was change, at the October meeting needed before returning to surface. P.J.Appleton said he would “re- vitalise” the newsletter. The The Club started dismantling Chairman, however, expressed great Milburgh Pit steam engine for concern about the “dwindling transfer to Blists Hill in November, membership” although there had and collected other material from been several new recruits during the Shortwoods mine. Members also summer and attendance at the took about 300 visitors, 40 yards up August meeting had been 18! the Tar Tunnel during the Museum Open Day in September. At the AGM it was agreed that subs would remain at £2 for full and 10 Alfred Hewitt at Black Tom shaft. (Ken Lock Collection) At the end of the year the Clubs shillings for Associates, that the hole Account No.7 - Survey of the Church in the thatched roof of the Club Other trips were made to Shortwoods Aston & Lilleshall Limestone Mines headquarters should be dealt with Colliery (the last small mine in was published, as also was No.8 on and that an effort should be made Shropshire), which had just closed. the Llanymynech Copper Mines. over the next year (the Clubs 10th The Club was given some metalwork Anniversary Year) to “pay off the including rails and also “1 powder By the end of the year things were original guarantors”. These were the tin, 1 detonator case, 1 carbide lamp, looking brighter for SMC. early members who had put money 1 notice board” (for the IGMT) and into the Club to buy the first “2 report books, mechanical and equipment. It was reported that the electrical, mechanical tests register, Club had 23 full members and 11 airway examination book (1937-1956) associates, but many had not paid and 1 book of coal-sale notes from subs for the year. Farm Mine” (for the County Records Office). During the year at least two trips had been made to S.W.Shropshire, one

Shortwoods Mine during scrapping in 1970. (Ivor Brown)

“Below” 2010.1 19 Letters to the Editior

Changes at Corris Comments on 2009.4 I was recently in the Corris area and A couple of thoughts occasioned by Below! 2009.4 called by at the craft centre. It appears that alongside the “King p12 A quick Google confirmed by belief that the typical home uses 500 W of Arthur's Labyrinth”, they are now electricity, averaged over the year. So 3000 homes is 1.5 MW - bugger-all also promoting “Mine Exploration in the grand scheme of things, less that the rated output of a single 60 m Trips” and making use of much more high wind-turbine and about 1/1000 the output of a modern nuclear power of the mine. station.

Basically it boils down to the choice p11 Readers may be interested in Spar cave, near Elgol on Skye. It can be of either a 1.5 hour “taster” for £15, reached only at low tide. It is unusual for a sea cave in having substantial or the full “half day exploration” at flowstone - it’s formed where a dolerite dyke has been eroded out of £30. They provide hat, lamp and calcareous sandstone. “safety clips” (cow's tails), but you have to provide suitable clothing, The deep pool just before the end is the Mermaid’s Pool in a poem by and wellies or stout boots to cope Walter Scott. Attached photo shows the pool with Merman. This is also with ankle deep water. the obvious solution to the ‘lack of suitable clothing’ problem alluded to by Andy Wood. Photographs can only be taken at the “photo stop”, bulky photographic equipment is not permitted.

Visitors are required to sign a form declaring that they are of sound body and mind. The posed photos on their publicity leaflet show visitors standing on a slope clipped into a line, crouching looking through a hole in the wall, and standing looking at an underground compressed air winch.

Contact details can be found at: www.corrismineexplorers.co.uk

Ian Cooper (John Heathcote) Footnote: I have a copy of a plan of the There’s real limestone caving on Skye too. workings at Corris, overlaid on an old There are substantial sea caves in various places on the north Scottish coast OS map by Graham Isherwood. close to where I live. Sandside Head, across the bay from me, has three If I can shrink to fit a page in Below - extensive caves, two of which permit though trips. No. 2 cave at 230 m rates and it is still legible (!), I’ll try and is the longest sea cave in the UK. Calm weather is necessary, and some include a copy in a future issue. courage too for the 20 min deep water swim out to them! Kelvin The cliff top of Holborn Head near Thurso has some impressive holes in it, from which issue marine odours and rumbling noises. A long rope and a boat Waitrose Help Rescuers would be necessary for the through trip here. West Brecon CRT were called out to John Heathcote Daren Cilau on 18th December to four lost cavers. Abergavenny stepped in and New Descent Website provided everyone involved with a While two rescue teams were Wild Places Publishing have hot meal. underground, a large number of relaunched the Descent web site as: cavers were held in reserve on the In October 2009, West Brecon had www.wildplaces.co.uk surface in very cold conditions. received £511 from Waitrose as part of their ‘local community initiative’ Designed to complement the When the Police said they couldn’t magazine, with details of Descent help with food supplies to keep from Descent & WBCRT Reports stockists, advertisers, calcified ads, people warm, the local Waitrose in details of clubs. and much more..

20 “Below” 2010.1 The Research Framework for the Archaeology of the Extractive Industries in England (Mining and Quarrying)

NAMHO has embarked on a project Energy Minerals: coal, oil shale, If you have data or expertise to offer which will benefit mining history and lignite etc or would like to contribute to the help with the making of decisions Metals: ferrous and non-ferrous seminars please contact the Project about future archaeological research Bulk Minerals: building stone, Officer Phil Newman at: and the heritage of mining aggregates, lime, sand, gravel etc [email protected] landscapes in England. Crucial to its Other Industrial Minerals: success will be the support of evaporites, clays etc Seminars NAMHO members, who it is hoped Miscellaneous minerals: graphite, The first seminar was held on 20th will wish to become involved. arsenic, talc, abrasives, pigments February. On 10th April there will be etc a second seminar at Snibston The Research Framework is a two- Discovery Park in Leicestershire and year project, jointly funded with The assessment will include surface the third will be at Carnforth Railway English Heritage, which will enable and underground archaeology of all Station in Lancashire on 24th April. NAMHO groups and individual periods of extractive activity, from Contact Peter Claughton if you want members to contribute towards and prehistoric flint mines to 20th century to attend these. help influence research priorities. gravel pits. Infrastructures, such as mineral railways, water supplies and Details of the seminars and other It will also provide guidance towards aspects of smelting will also be information is available on the conservation and education covered, as well as the social impact NAMHO website: strategies, and raise awareness of on the landscape of extraction, www.namho.org historic extractive industries as part including housing and other material of the wider heritage agenda. evidence of mining communities. Wheal Trewavas In May 2009, the National Trust Once the resources have been At its core will be a coordinated completed their conservation work collated the next process will be to effort to collate the results of on the Old or West Engine house, evaluate the data and the results will previous archaeological research, adjacent whim plat and stack at be used to inform discussions on a which will provide the information Wheal Trewavas, Cornwall. The final range of issues. Mainly however, we needed to achieve these wider aims. cost of the work on this exposed cliff hope to identify: side site was £550,000. NAMHO members can support this * strengths and weaknesses in the project by helping with the supply of The site is a rare example of a small existing record for the archaeology this information and by contributing copper mine that has not been of mining and quarrying, in to discussions at the series of covered by later tin workings. regional seminars planned for this particular any conspicuous gaps Spring and Winter/Spring of 2011. in our knowledge The Trust have also repaired the * skill shortages in areas needed to chimney at Cape Cornwall that was Members with regional or specialist further the study of the topic struck by lightning early in 2009. expertise, who are willing to provide * common themes in the study of contacts and advise on less well- the different extractive industries, known sources of information, are including cultural impact, particularly encouraged to attend underground archaeology, these seminars. conservation and education After the evaluation, the focus will The first task will be to undertake a turn to how these issues may be comprehensive review of existing addressed through targeting future archaeological data. Initially this will research and establishing where involve exploring county historic priorities for investigation and the environment records (HERs) and allocation of resources may best lie. collating bibliographical sources but Through this process the research also vital to the success of this framework, informed by the results of project will be the expertise and the resource assessment, will knowledge contributed by NAMHO incorporate the views and aspirations members. of a wide community of researchers.

The scope of the project will include If you wish to assist the steering all archaeological data associated group please contact the Project Trewavas West Engine house, with mining and quarrying under the Director, Dr Peter Claughton at: viewed through the bob wall of the following general headings: [email protected] East Engine house. (Kelvin Lake-I.A.Recordings)

“Below” 2010.1 21 Books, Library, and News

Turkish Explosion The Lead, Copper & Barytes Mines of Shropshire On Thursday 10th November, 2009, By Michael Shaw, Logaston press. valuable reference for mining nineteen miners were killed in a historians - not to mention Club and methane gas explosion at a coal mine While SCMC publications have often Trust members looking to visit some in the village of Devecikonagi, in the carried articles about the various of the sites mentioned! western province of Bursa, Turkey. mines covered by this book, there has long been a need to try and pull This book is well worth adding to The explosion happened at a depth everything together into a coherent your library as it successfully plugs a of more than 200m (700 feet), causing publication. In this aim Mike Shaw gap in Shropshire mining history, a shaft to collapse and starting a fire. has been very successful. pulling together histories of little known mines, along with the more Six bodies were recovered on Friday He has spent years researching famous ones. morning. Thirteen others who were records and books, talking to trapped by the shaft collapse were surviving miners, members of their also killed. families, SCMC members and tracking down original documents and the Six rescuers had to be treated in sites of numerous mines - many of hospital after they were overcome by which only lasted a year or two! fumes. Heavy fog in the area had prevented experts being airlifted in The first few chapters cover the early by helicopter. mining history of Shropshire, the products and processes, before Turkeys worst mining disaster came delving off into the different mining in 1992 when 270 miners were killed areas and covering the mines in more near the Black Sea port of Zonguldak. detail, so it will have general appeal. News Reports, 11th Dec. 2009 There are plenty of interesting snippets and facts to keep Chinese Cover-up ‘enthusiasts’ engaged - for example Deadly accidents are common in Mike has made an excellent job of China’s mining industry, but on 14th trying to untangle the ownership July 2008 (just before the Olympic history of Bog Mine (which seemed Games) an accident at the Lijiawa to change owners almost every year ISBN: 978-906663-09-4 mine in Yuxian county, Hebei at one time!), plus uncovering the Softback, 320 pages, over 200 b&w province, near Beijing, killed 34 histories of a lot of small mines. photographs, drawings and plans. miners. However, news of it was Price £12.95. suppressed for nearly three months. Coupled with the extensive gazetteer, and references section this is a book Available from Mike Moore or online Ten journalists and 48 government that after the first read, will become a at www.moorebooks.co.uk and mining officials have now been charged with covering it up. Cave Spiders Returned Library Additions A colony of cave spiders (Meta North Wales Caving Club Officials are alleged to have moved menardi and Meta bourneti) has been Newsletter, Issue 313, October- bodies, destroyed evidence and returned home after 10 years in a December 2009. Trip reports to Ogof bribed journalists to hush up the disused building. Dydd Bryaf, Ogof Llyn Parc, Pool disaster. Park and OHA amongst other items. Volunteers and staff from the National Trust’s Malham Tarn estate, Norfolk Mineral & Lapidary Relatives of the miners were kept North Yorkshire, are taking the Society, Stone Chat, Vol.30 No.2, quiet with threats and “large spiders back to their natural home, as Winter 2009-10. Several interesting payments”. the old house is to be renovated for items about fossils and stone cutting use by visiting schoolchildren and machinery and gem exhibitions. The journalists were paid $380,000 walkers. (£230,000) to not report the disaster. Subterranea Britannica, The Yuxian county government The spiders were accidently carried Subterranea, Issue 21: allegedly took out expensive to the building by University of December 2009 - features include advertisements in the newspaper of Bradford archaeologists duirng a items on tunnels in Kent, Tube one of the journalists charged. major survey of the nearby Chapel Stations and flood control, Fell cave, ten years ago catacombs in Britain and other BBC News Reports 30th Nov. 2009 News Reports, December 2009 military and defence installations.

22 “Below” 2010.1 Books and Videos

Morwellham and Tamar 'Mongst More Mines Valley Trust EXPLORATION OF SOUTHWESTERN MINES ABOVE & In September 2009, the Morwellham BELOW GROUND Trust and associated Trading The 2007 NAMHO conference was opportunity to re-visit the Camborne Company Limited went into held at Morwellham Quay by the School of Mines (CSM) test mine administration. It is doubtful that the river Tamar. The organisers arranged (formerly Holmans Test Mine). A site will re-open this year as it is special visits to many mines in walk round the buildings at currently up for sale. The majority of Devon and Cornwall and this Botallack on a fine sunny day is the mining exhibits have been Compilation features some of them. A followed by a visit to Geevor tin transferred to King Edward Mine in group from the Club spent the mine, where we were very privileged Cornwall. following week exploring more to be allowed to descend 79 metres of What impact this will have on the Cornish mines and many visits are ladders in Victory shaft to Deep Adit World Heritage site designation for featured here. level and explore it inland to a dammed connection with the flooded Cornwall and West Devon is not yet The DVD starts with a look round known. Levant mine, then out along the long Morwellham Quay including a brief winding level to the exit in the Death at Maltby Colliery look at George & Charlotte copper Trewellard cliffs. Emergency crews and a specialist mine. Then we visit Excelsior tunnel, mines rescue team were called to the have a guided surface tour of the Finally we see that the engine houses Maltby Colliery site in Rotherham, superbly preserved Kelly mine of Wheal Trewavas near Rinsey cove South Yorkshire at 1700 GMT on including the dressing mill, and are just as impressive as Botallack, Monday 7th December, 2009, where explore various levels of Great Rock after which we move to Bodmin and the man in his 50s was pronounced shiny ore mine underground. mines around Caradon Hill: South dead. Phoenix, Phoenix United and Wheal In Cornwall we visit the excellent Jenkin near Minions, then end at the Blue Hills tin streams, take a stroll The Health and Safety Executive and extensive remains of South Caradon round the St. Agnes area, attend a police are investigating the incident. copper mine. specially arranged visit to Wheal Maltby Colliery was bought by Peevor before it was opened to the In many ways, this Compilation transport firm Hargreaves Services in public, re-visit the always interesting complements our popular 3-DVD 2007. Taylor’s shaft and Michell’s shaft Production “’Mongst Mines and BBC New Reports 8th Dec. 2009 National Trust preserved Cornish Mine Explorers”. engines in Pool and examine mines of £14.95 DVD the Basset sett after conservation for NASA Tests Scottish (£10 to Club Members at meetings) Mineral for Martian Life the UNESCO world heritage NASA Scientists are testing a mineral site. known as Macaulayite, which is only A look round the splendid believed to exist at a quarry at the King Edward dressing mill is foot of Bennachie in Aberdeenshire. followed by a visit to nearby Wheal Grenville stamps, then Researchers think it could be the we have a quick look at a same mineral which gives the planet variety of sites: Brea tin its red colour and it might provide streaming works, South clues about life on Mars. Crofty’s New Roskear shaft, the Red River near Roscroggan Macaulayite was discovered by and the Cornish Gold Centre to researchers from Aberdeen's see what progress had been Macaulay Institute in the late 1970s. made with the unique Tolgus tin streaming works. The mineral is formed in the presence Afterwards, we stop briefly at of water so if it does occur on the St.Euny’s churchyard to surface of Mars it could provide contemplate the many miner’s proof the planet can sustain life. It is gravestones. formed from granite which has been weathered by tropical climates from An invitation from Mark before the last Ice Age. Kaczmarek gave a welcome

BBC News Reports 8th Dec. 2009 for details of availability visit: www.iarecordings.org

“Below” 2010.1 23 Club Officers Diary Dates

President: David Adams Membership, Insurance & 10th April: Second NAMHO Beeston House, BCA Rep: Mike Davies Research Framework for the 2 Princess Gardens, Newport 5, Washford Road Archaeology of the Extractive Shropshire, TF10 7ET Meole Village Industries in England (Mining and Tel: 01952-810681 Shrewsbury, SY3 9HR Quarrying) seminar, Snibston Tel: 01743-235482 Discovery Park, Leicestershire. Chair: Neal Rushton E-mail: [email protected] Chimneys, Possenhall 17th April: Cave Technology Broseley, Telford, Tackle: Andy Harris Symposium 2010, BCRA Special Shropshire, TF12 5BE Interest Groups - Surveying, Data- Tel: 01952-881007 First Aid Officer: logging, Comms, Lighitng, Alan Moseley Hydrology, Explosives. Village Hall, Vice-Chair: Tony Wilson Tel: 01952-882379 Horton-in-Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire. Secretary: Andrew Wood Librarian: Alan Robinson Contact: [email protected] Home Farm, Tel: 01952-883492 Castle Pulverbatch, 24th April: Third NAMHO Research Shrewsbury SY5 8DS. Bat Officer: Framework seminar, Carnforth Tel: 01743-718668 Mike Worsfold Railway Station, Lancashire. [email protected] Springfields, Station Road, Llanymynech, 27th - 30th April: IV International Treasurer: Marian Boston Shropshire SY22 6ED. Karst Symposium, Mallaga, Spain. 74, Hollies Drive, Tel: 01691-831450 Bayston Hill 8th -16th May: Speleohungry 100, Shrewsbury SY3 0NP Rescue Officer:Neal Budapest, Hungary. Rushton 4th - 6th June: NAMHO 2010, Training Officer: Ian Davies Chimneys, Possenhall Miners Institute, Coalpit Heath, 18, Priory Drive, Longden Road Broseley, Telford, South Gloucestershire. Forms Shrewsbury, SY3 9EF Shropshire, TF12 5BE available from 1st January 2010. Tel: 01743-231504 Tel: 01952-881007 Conservation & NAMHO 16th - 20th Nov.: ‘Speleology & ‘Below’ Editor, Publications: Spelestology’, International Rep: Steve Holding Kelvin Lake conference, Naberezhnye Chelny 55, Briarwood, 22, Chapmans Close (550 miles east of Moscow), followed Brookside, Telford Aqueduct, by 2 days of excursions and trips. Tel: 01952-417483 Telford, TF3 1ED Details on tinyurl.com/ybn82m3 e-mail: [email protected]

Bat Counting Technology ...... 89

Looks as if mice have eaten the wires AGAIN! Even tho’ we fixed it up high!! Makes you think we’ve got an infestation of Ninja Mice!

Ha! ha!!

Catch us on the World Wide Web. Club activities & the labyrinth: http://www.shropshirecmc.org.uk/ 24 “Below” 2010.1